Cannon honors POW/MIA service members Published Sept. 17, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Each year, ceremonies affirming America’s commitment to bring home its Prisoner of War and Missing in Action service members are held across the country on military installations and ships at sea; at state capitals, schools and churches; by national veteran and civic organizations, police and fire departments, and a plethora of other agencies. Joining in this collective veneration, Air Commandos at Cannon Air Force Base have the opportunity to participate in several activities commemorating America's lost, courtesy of the base Air Force Sergeants Association, Chapter 1255. Activities will include a ruck march, monument clean up, name reading vigil, remembrance luncheon and retreat ceremony. According to the Defense POW/MIA office, more than 83,000 Americans remain missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and the 1991 Gulf War. Even as they stare these statistics in the face, America's sons and daughters pledge to support and defend during one of the nation's most volatile conflicts to date. They do so of their own volition, with the knowledge that some will pay the ultimate price, and others will fall under the power of the enemy. This demonstration of conviction speaks to the confidence service members have placed in the ability of their government to fulfill the promise to never stop searching, and to bring resolution to past, present and future generations in the land of the free and home of the brave. POW/MIA events are scheduled as follows: · Sept. 14: Ruck March at Unity Park, 7 a.m. · Sept. 15: Name Reading Vigil at The Exchange, 8 a.m. · Sept. 16: POW/MIA Luncheon at the Landing Zone, 11:30 a.m. · Sept. 17: 24-hour Vigil Run at the base track, 4 p.m. · Sept. 18: Retreat Ceremony at wing headquarters, 5 p.m.